Oliver Betschart carved his name in local golf history after becoming the first Bermudian to secure a podium finish in the Butterfield Bermuda Junior Championship at Port Royal Golf Course on Sunday.

The teenager saved his best round for last with an even-par 71 earning him a share of third at the 54-hole event on five over.

His performance earned him full exemption on the American Junior Golf Association tour this year and with it the chance of regularly competing among some of the best players in the world.

“This is my first podium finish in this event and it feels great,” Betschart told The Royal Gazette.

“This is the third time I have played this event and I have improved every time. I am definitely feeling good about it and being third entails that I get full exemption into the AJGA tour for this year so I can play in possibly other events, which would be pretty cool. I also got a trophy which is always nice.”

The Port Royal club champion carded three birdies and the same number of bogeys during the final round to jump three places on the leaderboard after starting the final round tied for sixth at five over.

“I wish I would’ve taken more advantage of the opportunity of no wind,” he said.

“I’m a little disappointed not have posted a better round, but I think I made some good birdies and was able to play pretty solid.”

Also doing the island proud was Johnny Bart, who finished tied for fifth at six over 219.

“I can’t complain about the last three days as I shot 73 every day and learnt a lot,” he said.

“I hit some good shots and some bad ones, but overall it was a good experience so I am quite happy.”

Arman Newton, the remaining local player in the boys division, finished tied for 31st at 19-over 232.

“I definitely didn’t play how I wanted to the first two days,” he said. “I hit the ball pretty well today and just didn’t make any putts on the back but that’s golf. I’m proud of Johnny and Oliver, they played well.”

Joint first-round leader SJ Thomas, from Alabama, won the championship by five shots and was the only player finishing the event under par at two-under 211.

“It feels great to win as it's such a high-level event, the AJGA, and the course was in great condition, said Thomas, who captured a third tour title.

“This win was very special and means a lot to me.”

Thomas, who carded six birdies, a bogey and a double, was one of two players in the final round shooting 68, the lowest round of the tournament, alongside fellow American Charles Beeson.

“I played pretty solid, got myself in a few tricky positions but was glad to get out of them, and the putter was pretty hot,” he said.

Beeson, of Georgia, finished runner-up at three over, while overnight leader Fletcher Finch, from Alabama, tied for third with Betschart to round off the podium finishers in the boys field.

Aubrey Hilgers, of Arizona, won the girls title by two shots at eight over. She also saved the best for last with the day’s low round of one under, which included four birdies.

“It feels great to be champion,” she said.

“It feels really good to see all of my hard work finally come together and get to experience the triumph of winning and feeling better about my game also.”

Fellow Americans Annie Jin and Nikitha Suresh finished tied for second at ten over. Darina Betschart, the only local in the girls division, finished 22nd at 39 over.

“I didn’t play my best but I think I played good,” she said.

“I am just glad that I had this opportunity to play in it again and it was fun.”